Trumpeter Ralph Alessi, who’s been a serviceable sideman for the likes of Steve Coleman and Ravi Coltrane, fronts an impressive team of Jason Moran/p, Drew Gress/b and Nasheet Waits/dr for a collection of originals. Alessi’s horn is put in some quite diverse settings and moods here. For the title track, Alessi does some fancy valve work, while he goes crisp and staccato with Moran on “Gobble Goblins.” Moran displays his mastery here as well, asserting himself on the crisp “Chuck Barris” and flying like a bumble bee on the intricate “In-Flight Entertainment.” The whole band gets a bit free and spontaneous on “11/1/20” while sounding sensitive and cohesive on “Maria Lydia.” Impressive post modern musings.
ECM Records